Inheriting a genetic mutation doesn’t automatically mean you will get cancer, but some genetic traits can significantly raise your risk. If you have any concerns about your inherited susceptibility to cancer, the compassionate team at Choice Cancer Care can help. They assess your family history, evaluate your risks, and help you decide if genetic testing is an important step toward preventing cancer. To schedule a consultation, call one of the offices in Plano, Lewisville, Irving, or Southlake, Texas, or book an appointment online today.
Genetic testing determines your risk for some types of cancer by detecting mutated genes. These tests detect inherited genes, allowing you to take aggressive steps to prevent cancer if necessary.
Your genes can also mutate or change throughout your lifetime. This type of acquired gene mutation causes cancer more often than inherited mutations.
After you receive a cancer diagnosis, your doctor at Choice Cancer Care may do another type of gene testing called tumor DNA sequencing. This test shows genetic changes that guide your treatment.
You may inherit a tendency to develop many types of cancer. You can also inherit a high risk for a specific type of cancer. The two most common examples include:
Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes significantly raise the risk for breast and ovarian cancers in women. BRCA mutations also affect men and women, putting them at a higher risk of male breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer.
Another inherited condition, Lynch syndrome, seriously raises your risk for colon cancer. It also increases your chances of endometrial cancer and cancers of the ovaries, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, kidney, and brain.
You should talk with the team at Choice Cancer Care about genetic testing when:
The Choice Cancer Care team helps you determine if you should get genetic testing based on your history and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.
Your provider also talks with you about the process of testing, including your options for preventive treatment if you test positive for a genetic mutation.
To learn if you should consider genetic testing, call Choice Cancer Care, or book an appointment online today.